ICICIbank

fordcar

I have recently tried to join ICICI Bank but find their interpretation of the Money Laundering security rules rather restrictive. They want to see copies of a passport or driving licence plus utility bill etc. which in itself is OK and typical of other banks BUT they insist that these must be verified by a Solicitor, Bank Manager or Chartered Acct. Since I do not have a Solicitor, do not know a Ch.Acct. and only bank online how can I comlpy with these requirements. Other banks will accept originals which they return and in some cases un-verified photo-copies are sufficient. ANY COMMENTS PLEASE

cadboll

I have no experience with the above bank. Although rates are very good, its too high risk for me! It sounds very bizarre all the information they are looking....my only suggestion (and a poor one at that!) would be - is there anyone in your place of employment who is an accountant of some description? Sorry can't be more help!

Graham1

Solicitors actually charge only a modest fee for certifying a photocopy of a passport - often only £5 - although some will only do it if they know you from previous business.

Whether it is worth £5 to you to open an account there is another question.

Dagobert

fordcar wrote:

I have recently tried to join ICICI Bank but find their interpretation of the Money Laundering security rules rather restrictive. They want to see copies of a passport or driving licence plus utility bill etc. which in itself is OK and typical of other banks BUT they insist that these must be verified by a Solicitor, Bank Manager or Chartered Acct.

That is actually quite common. I am banking with one-and-a-half dozen banks, all accounts opened online providing postal identification. Off-hand, I can only think of one bank which didn't require certified copies (Abbey).

Minister of Religion is amongst the acceptable professions, too. Don't you have a priest?

You will find a discussion about the different banks' policies here: HSBC - only accept face-to-face ID? and on uk.finance.

David_Aston

At the moment, I am wishing that icici had displayed as much restriction when I opened a joint account with them. Then I probably wouldn't have bothered. As it is, one month in, and I still cannot access our account online. Second password received through the post this morning still will not gain access. The girl on the help line was flummoxed, so we are waiting for a call from somewhere or other in the next forty eight hours or so. Perhaps an inaccessable savings account is the ultimate in saving discipline!

cloud_dog

I think these requirements are becomming the norm (ish). Went to open a spread bet account with IG Index and they requested the same, although they would accept an original Inland Revenue Notice of Tax Coding instead.

It may be that online institutions are tightening up, either by request or on their own.

cloud_dog

jothi78

hi
i have opened the with bank, for i went to the their branch and certifed the documents very easily. so you can try it..................

innovate

I walked into a High Street Solictor's office to get a copy of my passport certified. Cost £5. Sent it off to ICICI and everything went smoothly for me.

I don't object to banks applying stringent identity controls, quite the contrary.

But see also

magentadreamer

I got the same email from them. I decided to open another account with someone else. I've never ever heard of a bank wanting signed id paper work by a solictor, I've normally just sent originals of a utility bill and the opening cheque to prove my ID. Thats all the Newcastle asked for when I got their letter today. I realise online accounts etc could be open to abuse but to pay a solictor to open an account is a bit much for me!

angelica

When my brother was opening a saving account with ING, they also asked for a certified copy of his passport as his credit history is almost non-existent. I think it is all to do with the new anti money laundering regulation.

Stompa

That is actually quite common. I am banking with one-and-a-half dozen banks, all accounts opened online providing postal identification. Off-hand, I can only think of one bank which didn't require certified copies (Abbey).

I don't think certified copies of a passport or driving licence are an absolute requirement. They can't be, I don't possess either of those forms of ID, yet have opened probably a dozen or so accounts with no problems whatsoever.

Stompa